Chapter 59

What is identity?

Identity is the social positioning of others and oneself.

Sometimes, as long as others and oneself acknowledge it, one can disguise oneself as, or even become, that identity.

For example, if a few students in school uniforms call a passerby "teacher," then in the eyes of onlookers, this passerby is a teacher at the school.

For another example, if two famous actors call someone "director" in an interview, the audience watching the program will believe that person is a director.

In this play directed by Wang Yang, Liu Zhao and Lady Xie Si are both famous actors, testifying together for Wang Yang, the unknown director.

This is much more credible than Wang Yang being surrounded by the black man's soldiers in the woods and proving his identity by his own words.

Wang Yang snorted coldly: "Spare me that! You secretly communicated with the Prince of Jingling and slandered my uncle—"

"Your subordinate is willing to stake his life that there is no such thing! I hope Young Master Wang will investigate clearly!" Jiao Zheng's voice was resonant, showing the temperament of a military man.

Wang Yang showed a suspicious expression, muttering to himself: "That's impossible, it clearly said the surname was Jiao..."

Jiao Zheng's mind flashed, and he hurriedly said: "May I ask, young master, who told you that I, Jiao Zheng, secretly reported to the Prince of Jingling and slandered your uncle?"

"It was the Pri..." Wang Yang pretended to almost blurt it out, but then realized in time: "How can I tell you this?"

Could it be someone close to the Prince of Jingling?

But if it were someone close to the Prince of Jingling, why would they frame me for this?

Is someone trying to harm me?

"Young Master Wang, how could a small official with such a low rank like me have any connection with the Prince of Jingling? I have even less courage to slander your uncle! I hope you will investigate clearly and return my innocence!"

Wang Yang thought for a moment and asked: "Besides you, who else in Jingzhou City is an official with the surname Jiao?"

"This..." Jiao Zheng was a bit dazed by such a sudden question. He could only rack his brains, searching his memory as he spoke:

"Jiao Xun, the Scribe of the Western Office; Jiao Wenyang, the Registrar; Jiao... Jiao Huang, the Assistant of the Rental Office? No, not Jiao Huang, it seems to be Jiao Kuang?

There seems to be a Jiao in the Registrar's office, and the City Defense Division, there's a Protector there whose surname is also Jiao, and... there are too many officials in Jingzhou. If you count the clerks in various offices, I can't recognize them all!"

It's precisely because there are so many that I'm asking you. I don't believe that you, an office director, can recognize everyone in the political and military systems?

"Could it be the same name? Or is it not the name but the courtesy name?" Wang Yang muttered at just the right volume, then asked:

"Jiao Zheng, what is your courtesy name?"

Jiao Zheng lowered his head: "Your subordinate has no courtesy name."

Names are names, but at that time, most people had names but no courtesy names.

Those who could take a courtesy name at that time were either noble aristocrats or those with scholarly heritage or special encounters. Jiao Zheng was born to an ordinary farming family; how could he have a courtesy name?

Later, when he became a military officer, his horizons broadened, but he still dared not take a courtesy name for himself, because even if he did, it would only invite ridicule. Just like how he envied the ox carts the aristocrats sat in, but dared not buy one.

The gap between the aristocrats and the commoners is not just something said casually.

"Then... I might have made a mistake? I'll check again. I'm not familiar with the people in Jingzhou. Please bear with me. I'm leaving, no need to see me out." Wang Yang apologized without any sincerity, turned around with his hands behind his back, and prepared to walk out.

How could Jiao Zheng miss this opportunity to befriend the Langya Wang clan? His brain spun rapidly, thinking about how to keep Wang Yang. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck, and he called out:

"Young master, please wait! I have a roster at home that records many officials with the same surname. Please sit for a moment in my humble home, and I will find the names of these officials and point them out to you one by one."

After speaking, he immediately added: "It won't take much of your time."

"Alright." Wang Yang agreed "reluctantly."

"Quick! Remove all those good-looking maids and replace them with ugly ones to serve! The uglier the better! Call in those two ugly maids who do the rough work outside!"

"Master, what kind of logic is this? This young master's status is—"

"What do you, a woman, know? Where is Yan'er? Where is Yan'er? Hurry and let Yan'er change into new clothes, put on makeup, and come out to meet the guest!"

"Tell the kitchen not to make any vulgar dishes with big fish and meat. What hasn't such a noble young master seen? Tell them to bring out their best skills and serve local specialties... No, no, I'd better tell them myself."

The whole mansion became busy because of Wang Yang's arrival.

During this period, the guard who followed the Xie family maid returned, confirming that the maid was indeed from the Xie residence. Jiao Zheng's last shred of doubt was dispelled, and he became even more energetic.

"Young master, your subordinate is truly damned! I clearly remember putting that booklet at home, but I can't find it no matter how I look. It might have been left at the Military Office. The office is already closed now. How about this, your subordinate will go get it first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Young master, it just happens to be mealtime. Why not have a simple meal at my humble home!"

"Your subordinate is uneasy in his heart. Please, young master, give your subordinate a chance to apologize!"

"Young master, please this way, watch the threshold."

Wang Yang watched Jiao Zheng's "performance" coldly; the plot was proceeding exactly in the direction he had envisioned.

Of course, he didn't foresee everything. For example, why were all the maids in the Jiao family so... indescribable...

Looking at it this way, Jiao Zheng's daughter was actually quite decent.

No!

Compared to these maids, she was more than decent; she was practically a beauty!

I have to say, the food in Jiao Zheng's house was indeed quite good, especially the "pan-fried duck" and "stuffed grilled whitefish." The colors were beautiful, the aroma was enticing, and just looking at it made one's mouth water. Even in a modern restaurant, it could completely serve as a signature dish.

Many people think that without modern seasonings like MSG, ancient dishes must be bland and tasteless. In fact, Chinese cuisine has a profound foundation; the subtlety of a single flavor is studied in minute detail.

Take this "stuffed grilled whitefish" for example. Although there is no MSG or oyster sauce, it is marinated with vinegar, a secret fish sauce, pickled sour melon (called "gu zu" at the time), scallions, ginger, and tangerine. When grilled to half-done, it is brushed with bitter wine and mixed fish sauce.

It's a pity that Wang Yang had to maintain his persona, so he just took a few bites casually. Otherwise, having a bowl of rice with these dishes would definitely be satisfying.

During the banquet, a servant reported that Steward He from the Commandery School had brought someone, saying they were delivering a fan to Young Master Wang.

Wang Yang had the person led directly to the dining hall and said to Jiao Zheng: "I ordered a new gadget, I guarantee you've never seen it."

Once the fan was in hand, Wang Yang opened the folding fan. The handle was pitch black, and the fan surface was like snow. The structure was exactly as he had instructed, which was very satisfying. He closed the fan and said:

"Very good, just make it like this. Within six days, make thirty of them. We'll settle the money then. As long as the quality is consistent, there will be no shortage of benefits for you."

The fan shop owner had originally intended to ask for a deposit, but seeing the grandeur of the Commandery School and this mansion, and learning from Steward He that this was a young master of the Langya Wang clan and that this mansion was the home of the Military Advisor of the External Troops, plus Wang Yang's generous spending last time, he didn't ask for a deposit. Instead, he patted his chest and guaranteed that he would definitely satisfy Young Master Wang.

Seeing that the owner was "sensible," Wang Yang had the Jiao family servants take him down to have a drink and reward him with some dishes.

The servants didn't dare to make the decision and looked at Jiao Zheng. Jiao Zheng immediately scolded: "Bastard! Young Master Wang gave an order, why haven't you followed it yet!"